Tuckingmill man called Ford who ran fuel-saving advice business found guilty of stealing... fuel

A man who admitted six offences of getting fuel from a petrol station and leaving without paying told Truro magistrates his new business, specialising in fuel-saving advice, was doing well.

Christian James Ford, 25, of Edward Street rear, Tuckingmill, Camborne, admitted the six offences at Tesco, Camborne, during, November, December and January, and two other offences of stealing shopping from Tesco in March.

Alison May, for the CPS, said part of the registration number of his car had been taken during one of the offences, leading to his being traced by the police. It was found that he had altogether obtained petrol worth £260.17 by filling up at a pump and driving off without paying. His theft in the store amounted to £50.

Ford told the police he was working in a situation where his mileage was high and he was unable to maintain his bills for fuel to keep the job.

He said in court that at the time he had been in between two different jobs. What he did was a pretty stupid mistake.

He was now self-employed after he and a friend had set up a fuel-saving company, He was fined £225 and £82 costs and surcharge, and told to pay £310.17 in compensation.